Vermilion River at Ed Hand to Close for Construction Starting Thursday

When a bridge is replaced, sometimes it isn’t just the drivers who are left looking for a detour.

If you were planning on taking your boat down the Vermillion past the Ed Hand Bridge in Oglesby, you’ll want to find another way to go. According to the LaSalle County Highway Department, the river will be closed to traffic Thursday, Friday, and Monday from 7:00 to 4:30.

The closure is so that structural steel can be put in place over the river. The Ed Hand Bridge was closed for replacement back in April. The replacement is expected to be completed early next year.

Pair of Repeat Offenders Arrested after Allegedly Driving Heroin through Ottawa

A man and woman who are no strangers to police are back in custody after their latest alleged offenses Monday.

Ottawa Police were told by LaSalle Police about a vehicle that was headed to Ottawa with drugs. Police found the vehicle at the south side BP, and questioned the people inside.

According to police, they were able to find a small amount of heroin in the car, enough to arrest 49-year old Eric Pierce of Chicago and 24-year old Kjersten Minkler of Streator. They were both charged with 1 count of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver.

Pierce has already spent at least 6 years in prison due to drug convictions in LaSalle County alone. His rap sheet also includes four additional drug convictions, two armed robbery convictions, and several other crimes in Cook County.

At the time of her arrest, Minkler was still working her way through the court system in La Salle. She’s due back in court on the 23^rd on a petition to revoke her probation which she was given as part of a plea to retail theft last year.

Minkler and Pierce were both taken to the LaSalle County Jail where they are being held on $1 million bond.

Pot, alcohol and gensing possession all part of weekend ticket summary at Starved Rock

As expected, Conservation Police stayed busy during the Labor Day weekend.

Sgt. Phil Wire says they handed out 42 park violations which include having alcohol and being off trails. Twenty fishing tickets were written up along with two tickets for dove hunting violations. Fourteen tickets were dished out for pot or paraphernalia while ten boaters were ticketed.

Wire’s summary also includes six tickets for gensing violations. The plant is protected at the park and it’s against the law to go out picking gensing along the trails.

Brass knuckles allegedly used in neighborly dispute in Streator

Emotions ran high in at least one Streator neighborhood over the holiday weekend.

On Saturday night, officers were called to Everett and Plumb Street for a fight in progress. Forty-five-year-old David Shelton and 24-year-old Kurtous Robertson both of Streator were arrested for battery. Both were released with court dates.

On Monday night, police went back to Everett Street for a “neighbor issue” and arrested Robertson along with 25-year-old Eric Melvin who live next to each other in Streator. Robertson was picked up for disorderly conduct while Melvin was arrested for disorderly conduct and unlawful use of a weapon. He’s accused of having brass knuckles.

Both men were released with court dates.

No names yet in crash that killed a man and horse near Troy Grove

A man and a horse are dead after a collision north of Troy Grove.

Paramedics and police rushed to the seen of a crash on East 4th Road, just south of North 38th Road after 8 Monday night. A man and a horse were killed at the scene while the driver and passenger of the car involved are okay.

The name of the victim hasn’t been released yet. The crash is still under investigation by the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office.

Jazz, blues and BBQ on La Salle’s mind

If you’re up for some great music and grilled food, you’ll want to make sure you’re in La Salle this weekend.

The 3rd Annual “BBQ and Blues” event is bringing great food and music to La Salle Friday. The event, which is sponsored by St. Margaret’s, will have live music and a cook-off starting at 6:00 on Friday.

The next day, the party continues with “Jazz In The Street.” It’s the 11th year for that event. According to Dan Burke, who is in charge of both events, they’ve only gotten bigger every year. He expects more of the same this year.

All money raised from the event goes to the LaSalle Business Association, which works to help businesses in the area.

Starved Rock State Park closes three times over the busy holiday weekend

Things should get back to normal today in and around Starved Rock State Park after a busy holiday weekend.

The state park closed for a couple hours during the early afternoon on Saturday, Sunday and Monday after there was no more room to park anyone. On Sunday and Monday the Dells are at Matthiessen State Park also closed for a couple hours.

The big story from the weekend at Starved Rock was a 17-year-old boy from Belvidere who fell about 50 feet Sunday in Pontiac Canyon. He was flown to OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Two children taken to the hospital after a crash in Peru

A crash near the vaunted Route 251 and 38th Street intersection in Peru sent three people to the hospital.

Twenty-year-old Matthew Harris of Peru was ticketed with failing to reduce speed to avoid a crash when he rear-ended the car of 64-year-old Kay Plant of Streator who was on Route 251 Friday afternoon. Three of Plant’s passengers including one and three-year-old girls were taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru.

Both of the drivers were okay.

Sandwich Fair helps to wrap up summer

The last of the big fairs in the Illinois Valley starts Wednesday.

The 129th Sandwich Fair opens up with harness racing. In the grandstand tomorrow night is a lumberjack competition. Truck pulls are the grandstand entertainment Thursday night followed Friday night by a concert featuring country crooner Frankie Ballard.

The fair wraps up Sunday with a couple demolition derbies. You can check out a full Sandwich Fair schedule by clicking Sandwich Fair Schedule

Excessive heat causing early dismissals at some schools

The heat is on in the Illinois Valley.

It could feel like 100 degrees or warmer Tuesday when you factor in the humidity. High temperatures today across the Illinois Valley will climb into the low-90s. When you factor in the humidity, it’ll feel more like 100 to 105.

Because of the heat, many schools are dismissing early today including L-P, St. Bede, Marquette and Ottawa High and elementary schools in Mendota and Oglesby.